Improved method of fastening wire to fence-posts



UNITED STAT-Es PATENT Omen.

ZEPl-IANIAII KNAPP, OF PITTSTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVED METHOD OF FASTENING WIRE TO FENCE-POSTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 5,884, dated October 24, 1848.

To all whoml it may concern:

Be it known that I, ZEPHANIAH ,KNAPR of Pittston, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have Ainvented a new and useful Improvement in Wire Fences, which is described as follows, reference being had to the annexed drawings of the same, making part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of two panels of the wire fence. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through one of the posts of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through a portion of one of the wires, and posts showing a modiiication of the improvement. Fig. 4; is a section of one of the posts, showing the position of the wire before vthe key or wedge is driven linto the mortise above the same.

Similar' letters in the figures refer to corresponding parts.

This improvement consists in providing a means ot' securing the horizonialwire rods of the fence to the vertical posts of the same of such a nature as to firmly connect them where they intersect each other and draw the wire rods taut and allow of the wires being withdrawn when it is desired to replace a broken wire or for other purpose.

rlhe posts A of the fence are inserted in the ground at suitable distances apart (according as the strength and thickness of the wire rods B renders more or less support necessary) on the line the fencing' is designed to run, and are perforated with horizontal openings the size of the wire used and parallel with the. line of the fence, made one above the other at suitable distances apart to correspond with t-he spaces required between the wires for the reception of the wire rods B, which pass through the same and extend horizontally from one to the other and intersecting in their passage through said posts horizontal mortises or slots C, formed in the sameA at right angles to the openings through which the wires pass, and inelining slightly on their upper edges from one side ot the posts to the other. The wires when inserted in the posts pass through these mortises or slots C a short distance above their lower` edges, as represented in Fig. 4, and are bent downward into the sides and lower` edges of said mortises or slots C bywooden or iron keys or wedges D, driven into t the same above the wires, so as to firmly secure the wires to the posts, as represented in Fig. 1, and at the same time draw the wires taut between the posts in proportion to the portion bent downward from a horizontal line, thus forming a cheap and efficient mode of` fastening the wires tothe posts and tightening the same.

Instead of forming the mortises or slots in the posts at right angles to the wires B, they may be made parallel to the same, as represented at E in Fig. 3, in which case they will extend through the posts and be inclined on their upper edges, as before, and have countersinks or cavities in their lower edges between the sides of the posts and about onethird their thickness, into which Vthe wires are bent by semicircular cogs or protuberances c on the lower edges of oblong keys F, inserted in the. mortises above the wires, which cogs or protuberances are pressed with the wires into said cavities by wedges or keys G, driven into the mortises above the oblong keys.

The posts and wires may be either round or square, as desired, and in case it is desired to remove a section of the wires for any cause the keys holding the same may be withdrawn and said section drawn through the openings in the posts withsuflicient force to straighten its bent parts.

That I claim as my invention, to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The mode of securing the wires to the posts and straining them between the same by means of wedges or keys driven into mortises or slots formed in the posts above the wires and causing them to be bent downward into the lower parts of said mortises orv slots, as described, whether said mortises or slots be formed at right angles to the wires or parallel with the same, as herein set forth.

2. The combination of the oblong keys F, having cogs or protuberances c on their lower edges and keys G above the same, and longitudinal mortises or slots in the posts with the wires running parallel with the same, as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name, before two vsubscribing witnesses, this 7th day of February, 1848.

ZEPHANIAH KNAPP.

lVitnesses: v

EDMUND MAHER, A. E. H. JOHNSON.

and desire 

